By David Gold
May 23 – Japan will be hosting the Club World Cup in December as planned despite continuing fears over the nuclear crisis in the country following March’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has confirmed.
Blatter, after having met Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, pledged his faith in the country’s ability to host the event.
“We are confident Japan can organise this competition,” he said.
“We look forward with confidence and optimism that this tournament will be a good one.
“Through football there is hope.
“What [the disaster victims] need now is to smile after the tragedy.”
Blatter was assured that teams and officials would not be at risk of exposure to radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which was badly hit by the disaster, and he pledged funds to help with the reconstruction efforts facing Japan.
“Money from the FIFA emergency fund will be available to Japan for reconstruction efforts,” he said.
“I expressed to the Prime Minister my sympathy and our solidarity with the Japanese people in these troubled times.”
The tournament, which sees the six champions of the world’s continental club tournaments compete against each other, is taking place on December 8-18 in Tokyo.
Competing this year will be Mexican side Monterrey, who saw off Real Salt Lake in the North American equivalent of the Champions League
New Zealand’s Auckland City crushed Vanautu’s Amicale in the Oceanic competition, and they will play the winner of the J-League in a preliminary play off for a place in the tournament.
Brazilian side Santos, Paraguayans Cerro Porteno, Penarol of Uruguay and Argentine outfit Velez Sarsfield are in the semi-finals of South America’s Copa Libertadores, whilst England’s Manchester United face Spanish giants Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday (May 28).
The Asian tournament is at the first knockout stage, whilst the African competition is yet to start its group phase.
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